Author's notes: Thank you for the reviews, they are much appreciated! This next chapter is my favorite so far. Hope you enjoy :)
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Chapter 6- An Act of Desperation
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Standing under the warm running water in the small shower, Ebony scrubbed her face and neck of dried blood.
She watched crusty particles rehydrate as swirls of red circled towards the drain.
Her head was almost at migraine status as she struggled to focus, squinting her eyes.
Her body was screaming for nothing more than to go back to her own bed, curl up and sleep.
After the events of the night, having her apartment ransacked by opportunistic thugs and then fighting back, that was all she truly wanted right now.
But, Bane had requested her presence.
Not tomorrow, not in the morning, but right now, in the middle of the night.
How inconvenient.
And, Barsad was here to enforce it.
How annoying.
After throwing on some fresh clothes- a comfy fleece lined grey tracksuit, Ebony tried to make herself look as presentable as possible.
She inspected her injuries before reapplying dressings.
Although she was grateful that Barsad had done a neat job of taping up her head, she didn't like the thought of him hanging around inside her home for too long.
Blake would have a conniption and would probably rush her off to the hospital if he saw her right now.
Ebony rummaged around her first aid kit which Barsad had already located, and put a small dressing to cover the state of her head and a fresh wrap on her knuckles.
Emerging into the living area with damp hair cascading in ringlets over her shoulders, she saw Barsad right at home on her sofa with his feet on the coffee table, watching a comedy on the flatscreen.
Ebony pursed her lips.
He looked waaaay too comfortable for her liking, but she was grateful that he had righted some of the mess that had been made from the three intruders.
Although the corner was chipped, at least her tv still worked.
Sitting on the sofa opposite him, Ebony laced her white sneakers after placing her camera on the seat next to her.
She wasn't going to leave her camera behind after what happened.
'I still don't know what is so urgent that I have to come right now…' She said reluctantly.
'…And he is not my boyfriend.' Ebony added, throwing on her black puffer jacket referring to Barsad's previous comment when she had woken up.
If she had to go down there in the middle of the night, at least she would be properly dressed… this time.
Warm.
Barsad looked at her curiously.
'Officer Blake. I ended things with him because I didn't want him getting a hint of this arrangement.' Ebony explained, annoyed. 'Not that it was that serious in the first place.' She added.
Barsad remained silent as he led the way downstairs to the waiting van outside.
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Down in the depths of the sewer tunnels, feeling worse for wear, Ebony dragged her feet as she trailed behind Barsad.
After such an eventful day, the last thing she wanted to do was be hauled down here in the middle of the night when she felt so awful.
Coming down the stairs and into view of Bane's central work area, she saw that he was shirtless, hunched over crouching by the fire pit.
A nasty jagged scar trailed from his neck the full length of his spine which shimmered against his pale skin in the uneven lighting.
No wonder he needed permanent pain medication.
Ebony eyed him suspiciously.
She knew something happened today at the stock exchange.
But she didn't know what or why.
Only that it wasn't good.
Whilst she had admiration for the Batman, she was very wary of Bane.
And it seemed the big man got away clean.
She briefly glanced over to the bench to see the red motorcycle helmet sitting amongst weapons and other equipment.
'You wanted to see me?' Ebony asked reluctantly, walking closer, wondering what was so important that he had to see her tonight.
Barsad departed, leaving the two of them alone with armed guards out of earshot.
'What is my next task?' She pressed, assuming it was urgent, clutching her camera close to her chest.
She didn't want to linger around here for too long as she knew she couldn't keep up this façade of strength for long.
Perhaps he could already see through it.
Ebony didn't have to see his face to tell that Bane wasn't in a good mood.
She could sense it.
Had they failed in their objective at the stock exchange, or was it for another reason…?
The air was thick with tension.
Ebony inhaled breath as Bane stood to full height and turned to scrutinize her, as ominous as ever.
Now in a warm loose-fitting grey tracksuit, untamed locks and a black puffer jacket with dressings on her swollen forehead and knuckles, she looked a lot different compared to last time she had been down here.
Much more… worse for wear.
'Who did this?' He questioned, eyeing her forehead.
It was likely she had a concussion.
'It's nothing… I'll be fine.' Ebony brushed it off.
She did not realize that this was in fact the reason Bane wanted to see her.
Bane remained still, his gaze unwavering, the tense silence and his stare pressing her to answer him properly.
Eventually she caved.
'In the Narrows, it is not an unusual occurrence. A group got into the complex, raiding apartments. Looking for anything of value.' Ebony replied, before continuing.
'This is nothing, you should see the other guy.' She joked in an attempt to keep things not as serious as Bane seemed.
'Did they… hurt you anywhere else?' Bane asked rather seriously, ignoring her comedic reply.
'Well sure. I mean, my ego is a little bruised.' Ebony replied dryly, keeping up the tough act.
She was testing his patience.
Wasn't the first time.
Sure as hell wouldn't be the last either.
Ebony knew what he had really asked and no, she hadn't been sexually assaulted, however she chose not to answer.
Besides, it was really none of his business.
But… had she detected a hint of concern in his tone just now?
Bane didn't react to her smart comment, again his ominous glare prompting her to answer him properly.
Rather annoyed at being interrogated when she felt so crappy, Ebony was on the attack.
'What's it to you anyway? It's alright for you to make me bleed, but it is not okay if anyone else does?' Ebony spat, recalling their very first meeting where she was restrained to a chair and Barsad with that very large blade.
'Sounds like double standards if you ask me.' She added, pushing his tolerance again.
Bane remained as composed as ever.
'Ms Black, back then, you were an intruder in my domain that was about to die. Now, you are in my employ, under my watch...' Bane replied sternly, seemingly annoyed that she required explanation.
'…and… at present, you are still of some use whilst the League remains underground. I require you in good health to do your work effectively...' He continued.
'…And you need to remain useful to me if you want to stay alive.' Bane added in a threatening undertone, reminding her of the immense power he wielded down here.
Great. How… reassuring.
'I beg to differ…' Ebony started foolishly, still feeling argumentative despite all the warning signs.
'I don't work for anyone, and I certainly don't work for you. I'm freelance and at present, you are simply the one offering the highest price for my work. My life. How could I… refuse.' Ebony said, depleting her last ounces of energy.
Clenching his fist, Bane restrained himself from the urge of wanting to ring her neck.
If anyone else spoke back to him like that, they would already be dead by strangulation, but for some reason with Ebony, he allowed it.
In an irritating way, he found her somewhat… entertaining.
'What did this… group look like… ?' Bane pressed her, ignoring her attitude again.
'It was just a bunch of opportunistic thugs. They're gone now. What does it matter?' She mumbled.
Bane gave her a stare of ice that made the hair stand on the back of her neck for questioning him.
'Soon, no one will so much as breathe in this city, without asking my permission.' He announced.
Ebony shrugged wearily; she was way too tired to feel afraid of him right now.
'They were wearing matching black bandanas and two of them had a small tattoo of a tear on their cheek.' She replied.
As she gave him a more detailed description, Ebony casually strolled around the fire pit towards Bane's stretcher.
She needed to sit down.
She didn't feel so good and didn't want to collapse in Bane's presence.
She knew he didn't view weakness favorably.
Bane remained motionless but his eyes followed her movement inquisitively, as Ebony perched herself on the edge of the stretcher.
His stretcher.
'What did they take from you?' Bane asked.
So many questions…
'Nothing of any value. They just smashed a few of mom's nice crystal and when they couldn't find any jewellery, then probably moved on to the next apartment when I started fighting back.' Ebony replied, wearily, wishing she was home.
'I wouldn't let them have my camera. It is the camera my father gave me.' She muttered looking down at it, before hunching over wearily, her elbows resting on her knees.
From her seated position, Ebony watched as Bane moved towards the bench, turned his back to her and begun working at a laptop housed in an industrial strength case.
Although he looked like a hulking brute, surprisingly he was anything but.
Intelligent. Forward thinking.
Intuitive, with an eye for detail.
Strong, smart and wise beyond his years.
A triple threat of sorts.
After waiting a few minutes, Ebony felt her eyes become heavy.
Without thinking what she was doing, she collected up her legs, making herself more comfortable.
Perhaps she should ask the big man for some of his pain meds.
She needed something stronger than aspirin for her head and the next best thing was this stretcher, which was much cosier than it looked… and the pillow… well, it would do…
Maybe she would feel better after a powernap…
As Ebony nuzzled her cheek into the pillow, she picked up a subtle scent.
Earthy. Medicinal. Something ancient…
Frankincense…?
Her parents had used the oil for various applications..
And it sort of made sense for Bane to use it.
Frankincense was known for improving skin conditions and wound healing.
And it seemed that Bane had a lot of scars and old injuries that had healed badly.
In a more spiritual sense, it symbolized deity.
Although not a god, Bane was clearly no ordinary man.
A supreme leader.
Ebony had seen how his men looked up to him in awe and admiration.
So, it seems that he wears the mask all the time. Even when he sleeps.
Sleeeep…
After researching names and records of the gang members known for nothing more than petty crime, Bane turned towards the stretcher to see Ebony fast asleep.
Although not overly surprized, he paused momentarily from his work.
It was not often he found a beautiful woman in his bed.
In fact, it was never.
Bane slowly ran his eyes over her curled-up form.
Still clutching her camera with her bandaged hand like a child cuddling their teddy bear, surprizingly, she seemed quite content.
Although Ebony acted tough around him Bane could see through it.
So, for her to lie in his bed was clearly an act of… desperation.
Not a form of seduction, or an attempt to stay in his favor, to stay… alive, as others had done before her.
Especially with all the background noise down here.
Although, Bane did find the sound of flowing water comforting down here when it rained.
Bane turned back to the screen in front of him.
Shortly after, Barsad reappeared, looking at the situation with raised eyebrows but said nothing.
Shifting his gaze from the stretcher to Bane and back again, Barsad couldn't quite believe what he was seeing.
Had she somehow tamed him, or… was it the other way around?
After discussing some future plans, Barsad nodded in the direction of stretcher.
'Do you want me to take her back boss?' He asked in a hushed voice.
Turning towards Ebony once more, Bane's eyes lingered upon her resting form.
Longer than his sense of control and discipline told him he should.
Oblivious to her surroundings, Ebony seemed quite comfortable in a deep sleep.
Her black puffer jacket covered most of her curled up form, providing a much-needed barrier from the cold damp air of the underground.
Barsad observed Bane as he looked upon her.
It seemed her quiet company pleased him, somehow.
'No, leave her be. She may stay. For now.' Bane said.
